Children's Spitex Switzerland

What Children's Spitex Switzerland does

Children's Spitex Switzerland, formally the Schweizerischer Kinderspitex Verein and operating commercially as Kinderspitex Ostschweiz, is a charitable non-profit association founded in 2000 by Patricia and Thomas Engeli and headquartered in Horn, Canton Thurgau. The organization delivers pediatric home nursing care to families with infants, children, and adolescents who have disabilities, chronic illnesses, complex medical needs, or who require palliative care. Approximately 170 qualified pediatric nursing professionals (Pflegefachpersonen) provide in-home care across six eastern Swiss cantons (Thurgau, St. Gallen, Appenzell Innerrhoden, Appenzell Ausserrhoden, Graubünden) and the Principality of Liechtenstein, supported by a 24/7 helpline and a centralized coordination center. Patient registration is handled through the OPAN online system, and referrals flow primarily from children's hospitals, pediatric practices, and disability insurance (IV) offices.

The core offering, "Pflege zuhause," is supplemented by a portfolio of family support programs: Hängematte (respite holiday placements), Glücksstunden (hourly respite breaks), Chilli (weekend programs for teenagers with disabilities), Herzenswunsch (wish fulfillment), Rechtsdienst (free legal advice on insurance and disability rights), Spitex-Mobile (adapted family vehicles, with over 50 delivered since 2014 via partner EP-Group), and the developing Medizinische Fernüberwachung (MFE) real-time remote monitoring service that transmits vital parameters and audio/video to a centralized monitoring center. Governance is provided by a board including a pediatrician specialist, and the organization is led by the Engeli founders with operational leads across administration, HR, legal/economic advisory, and program-specific deployment coordination.

Revenue is generated through a mixed non-profit model combining partial cost coverage from disability insurance (IV) and health insurance reimbursements, individual and corporate donations, Gönner membership fees (CHF 150 individual, CHF 250 family, CHF 500 corporate annually), dedicated project donations, and merchandise sales through an online Waren-Shop. The organization explicitly states that insurance reimbursements do not cover the full cost of care, so the gap is funded annually through donations and a calendar of community fundraising events including Sommerfest (Dance4Kids), Comedy Night, Golf4Kids Charity Trophy, and Xmas Family Day. Distribution relies on direct home-care delivery and hospital referral partnerships, with brand reach amplified by celebrity ambassadors (Pascal Zuberbühler since 2021, S'Rindlisbachers, Dodo since 2025) and corporate sponsors (Krankenkasse SLKK, AXPO, FC St. Gallen). The association is independent, with no parent company or external institutional investors.

Name

Children's Spitex Switzerland

Legal name

Schweizerischer Kinderspitex Verein

Website

https://www.kinderspitex-ostschweiz.ch

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Children's Spitex Switzerland is a charitable non-profit association providing pediatric home nursing care and family support services to families with disabled or seriously ill children across six eastern Swiss cantons and Liechtenstein.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Pediatric Home Healthcare Services

NAICS

Home Health Care Services (62161), Residential Intellectual and Developmental Disability Facilities (62321), Child Care Services (62441)

SIC

Services-Home Health Care Services (8082), Services-Nursing & Personal Care Facilities (8050)

akta.pro primary industry

Respite Care for Families of Children with Disabilities (HSAAAIAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Special Needs Sick-Day Backup Childcare (HSAAAJAK), Overnight Special Needs & Medical-Needs Childcare (HSAAADAE)

Keywords

• Pediatric home care
• Home nursing services
• Respite care programs
• Disabled children support
• Charitable healthcare association

Headquarters

HQ city

Horn

HQ country

Switzerland

HQ region

Europe

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Fundraising: Primary revenue stream from individual donations, corporate sponsorships, and foundation grants. Donations are solicited through events, direct mail campaigns, and the organization's online donation shop. Special projects (Hängematte, Glücksstunden, Fernüberwachung) have dedicated donation accounts.
2. Gönner Membership Program: Annual membership fees from individuals (CHF 150/year), families (CHF 250/year), and companies (CHF 500/year). Members receive regular updates, event invitations, and meet-and-greet opportunities with ambassadors.
3. Health Insurance and IV Reimbursement: Reimbursements from disability insurance (IV) and health insurance companies for nursing care services. However, these payments do not cover full care costs, requiring supplementary fundraising.
4. Merchandise Sales: Sale of donated items and branded merchandise (clothing, toys, artwork) through the Waren-Shop. Proceeds support care services for children with special needs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Children's Spitex Switzerland (Schweizerischer Kinderspitex Verein) provides pediatric home nursing care for infants, children, and adolescents with severe disabilities, chronic illnesses, or complex medical needs, delivered directly in family homes by qualified pediatric nursing professionals. The organization supplements core nursing care with integrated relief programs including respite holiday placements (Hängematte), short breaks for parents (Glücksstunden), weekend teen activities (Chilli), wish fulfillment (Herzenswunsch), real-time medical remote monitoring (Fernüberwachung), free legal advice (Rechtsdienst), and adapted mobility vehicles (Spitex-Mobile).

Product overview

Children's Spitex Switzerland operates as a healthcare service organization offering pediatric home nursing care and family support programs. The core offering centers on 'Pflege zuhause' (Home Care) providing qualified nursing care for children with severe illnesses or disabilities in their home environment. This is supplemented by multiple support programs: 'Hängematte' offers respite holiday placements for children; 'Glücksstunden' provides parents with short breaks; 'Chilli' organizes weekend activities for teenagers; 'Herzenswunsch' fulfills special dreams; 'Fernüberwachung' enables real-time medical remote monitoring; 'Rechtsdienst' offers free legal assistance; and 'Spitex-Mobile' provides adapted vehicles for mobility. Additional services include a Waren-Shop selling donated goods and merchandise, and a Spenden-Shop for direct donations and sponsorship memberships. All programs work together to support families caring for children with special needs, with most services funded through donations and health insurance reimbursements.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Pflege zuhause (Pediatric Home Care)
• Hängematte (Respite Care Program)
• Glücksstunden (Respite Breaks)
• Chilli (Teen Weekend Program)
• Herzenswunsch (Wish Fulfillment)
• Fernüberwachung (Medical Remote Monitoring)
• Rechtsdienst (Legal Service)
• Spitex-Mobile (Adapted Family Vehicles)
• Klientenanmeldung (OPAN Online Patient Registration)
• Gönner Membership Program

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 50 families provided with mobility through Spitex-Mobile vehicles
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered presenting partner, platinum partner, core partner, flagship ambassador, flagship partner and minor.

• Krankenkasse SLKKpresenting partnerGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 March 2026Presenting partner for Sommerfest 2026 Dance4Kids event. Krankenkasse SLKK and SLKK Versicherungen sponsor the major fundraising festival featuring celebrity appearances and family activities.
• AXPOplatinum partnerGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 March 2026AXPO serves as platinum sponsor for Sommerfest 2026, hosting the AXPO Street Soccer Arena for inclusive football tournaments in partnership with AFV and Luigi Ponte.
• Moving Sportcampscore partnerStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 March 2026Event collaboration partner for the Dance4Kids program at Sommerfest, providing sports activities and dance workshops for children.
• FC St. Gallen 1879core partnerStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 March 2026Partnership for Xmas Family Day events at Kybunpark/Berit Sitterstadion. FC St. Gallen hosts families of children with special needs for holiday celebrations.
• Pascal Zuberbühlerflagship ambassadorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 18 June 2025Former Swiss national football team goalkeeper (2004-2007) serving as ambassador since 2021. Hosts Golf4Kids Charity Trophy and other fundraising events. Also responsible for worldwide goalkeeper training at FIFA.
• Holzer Baumanagement GmbHpresenting partnerGTM or Marketing PartnerPresenting partner for Kinderspitex Comedy Night 2027, hosting the charity comedy event featuring Tutty Tran, Claudio Zuccolini, and other comedians.
• Kiwanis Club Weinfeldencore partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrganizes Charity Classic car event benefiting the Hängematte project. Kiwanis is a global volunteer organization focused on serving children and community.
• Kiwanis Club Weinfeldencore partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerService organization supporting families with children in Switzerland through service projects and fundraising activities.
• EP-Group (Engeli und Partner)core partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerImplementation partner for Spitex-Mobile project since 2014. Responsible for realizing over 50 family vehicles and 10 service vehicles for families with disabled children. Located in Horn.
• Märchenhotel Brunwaldcore partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner hotel providing family retreat experiences. The Vogel family contributes 50% of costs for stays, with the remainder funded through donations.
• Ostschweizer Kinderspitalflagship partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrimary referral partner for children requiring home care nursing after discharge. Located in St. Gallen with coverage extending to the eastern Switzerland region.
• Kinderspital Zürichcore partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerChildren's hospital referral partner for complex pediatric cases requiring specialized home care nursing services.
• Stiftung Kinderbrückecore partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerFoundation supporting impaired infants, children, and adolescents and their family environment through financial grants for family support projects and bridging finance.
• Insieme SchweizminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrganization advocating for integration and equality for people with intellectual disabilities. Partner in referral and support services.
• Cerebral SchweizminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUmbrella organization representing 20 regional associations for people with cerebral palsy. Network partner for family referrals.
• IV-Stellen (Disability Insurance Offices)flagship partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerNetwork of disability insurance offices including SVA St. Gallen, AHV/IV Thurgau, Appenzell AR, Appenzell AI, SVA Graubünden, and SVA Schaffhausen. Primary funding source for care services.
• WeizenkornminorOthersWork and training facility for people with psycho-social difficulties since 1979, producing wooden toys sold in the Waren-Shop.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Stiftung Kinderbrücke: Swiss foundation supporting impaired infants, children, adolescents, and their families through financial grants for family support and bridging finance. Directly comparable as a Swiss-based non-profit providing family support services to children with special needs, with a similar grant-making and project-funding model.
• Kinderhospiz Schweiz: Swiss pediatric palliative and hospice care organization supporting families with seriously ill children. Comparable as a Swiss non-profit offering home-based and respite care for children with life-limiting conditions, operating on a similar donation-driven model.
• Insieme Schweiz: Swiss umbrella organization advocating for integration and equality for people with intellectual disabilities. Comparable as a national non-profit providing referrals and family support services overlapping with Kinderspitex's special-needs pediatric focus.
• Cerebral Schweiz: Swiss umbrella organization for 20 regional associations serving people with cerebral palsy. Comparable as a non-profit network partner providing referrals, advocacy, and family support to a population that overlaps with Kinderspitex's pediatric disability service users.
• Stiftung Wunderlampe: Swiss foundation that fulfills wishes for children with serious illnesses or disabilities. Directly comparable to Kinderspitex's Herzenswunsch (wish fulfillment) program — same beneficiary population, same wish-fulfillment model.

Broad incumbents

• Spitex Verband Schweiz: National umbrella association for Swiss home care (Spitex) organizations. Comparable as the broader category operator covering all-age home nursing services, where Kinderspitex represents the pediatric specialty subset.
• Aveanna Healthcare (Pediatrics): US-listed pediatric home health operator providing skilled nursing and therapy to medically complex children. Comparable in offering home-based pediatric skilled nursing, though operates at much larger scale across a different funding/regulatory system.
• BAYADA Home Health Care (Pediatrics): US-based home health provider with a dedicated Pediatrics division serving medically fragile children. Comparable in providing home-based pediatric skilled nursing at scale, serving a similar medically complex population.

Emerging players

• Make-A-Wish Foundation Switzerland: Swiss branch of the global wish-fulfillment charity for children with critical illnesses. Comparable as a wish-fulfillment organization serving a similar beneficiary population (children with serious illness), though operating as part of a global brand versus Kinderspitex's locally embedded Herzenswunsch program.

Regional players

• Ronald McDonald House Charities Switzerland: Swiss charity providing accommodation and family support near children's hospitals. Comparable in supporting families of seriously ill children with residential/family services, though focused on accommodation during hospital stays rather than home nursing delivery.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@kinderspitexschweiz586
• Facebookfacebook.com/Kinderspitex
• Instagraminstagram.com/kinderspitex.schweiz
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/kinderspitex-ostschweiz

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles14 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Children's Spitex Switzerland